Wideband planar antenna

Abstract

An energy feed structure includes a first tube having an open end and a closed end, a second tube to pierce the closed end, and a solid dielectric material to cover the open end. An apparatus comprises a resonant element located in a first plane, a ground plane located in a second plane (typically spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first plane), and an energy feed structure. A system comprises an apparatus, including a resonant element, a ground plane, and an energy feed structure, as well as a radio frequency connector having a center conductor electrically coupled to the feed structure. A method includes forming a ground plane, forming a planar resonant element, and forming an energy feed structure capable of passing through the ground plane and being capacitively coupled to the resonant element.

Description

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to antennas. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to wideband antennas, including planar receiving antennas.BACKGROUND INFORMATIONThe gradual degradation of television (TV) video and audio signal quality seen in analog television systems often appears as "ghosting" and other channel noise at the receiver. In a digital TV signal environment, multipath or low level signal conditions create bit errors that are initially seen as video artifacts, including blockiness and pixelization. There may also be audio artifacts. However, when the number of reception errors reaches a certain level, complete loss of the video image and accompanying audio can occur in a relatively abrupt manner.One example of this situation arises when Digital TV / High Definition TV (DTV / HDTV) receivers have difficulty resolving multiple replicas of the same signal arriving at the receiver input (i.e., multipath signals). Replicated signals can effectivel...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a wideband, planar receiving antenna that works well under multipath signal reception conditions. It uses an enhanced method of coupling signal energy to the antenna, and some of its structural elements include an open mesh to reduce wind effects. The energy feed structure includes two tubes, with one tube piercing the other, and a solid dielectric material to cover the open end of the first tube. The resonant element and ground plane may be solid sheets or open meshes to reduce wind effects. The system includes a radio frequency connector, a support, and a cable. The method of fabricating the apparatus and system involves forming a ground plane, a planar resonant element, and an energy feed structure with a solid dielectric element. The apparatus and system have been tested and shown to perform well under various conditions."

Problems solved by technology

The gradual degradation of television (TV) video and audio signal quality seen in analog television systems often appears as "ghosting" and other channel noise at the receiver.

In a digital TV signal environment, multipath or low level signal conditions create bit errors that are initially seen as video artifacts, including blockiness and pixelization.

However, when the number of reception errors reaches a certain level, complete loss of the video image and accompanying audio can occur in a relatively abrupt manner.

One example of this situation arises when Digital TV / High Definition TV (DTV / HDTV) receivers have difficulty resolving multiple replicas of the same signal arriving at the receiver input (i.e., multipath signals).

However, many TV antennas do not operate well under multipath signal conditions.

Antennas that are more effective in dealing with multipath signals often have a limited response bandwidth, and some are characterized by a large wind area, creating a "sail" which is easily damaged in moderate to high winds.

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